Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Brainerd is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 13,423 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (92% White). Given that fact, Brainerd could be considered less diverse than other cities. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 46% of the Brainerd population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Brainerd. With an average one way commute time of only 18 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Brainerd, Minnesota could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like cost of living, commute, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Brainerd and in the areas around Brainerd is a much easier task.
Brainerd has a livability score of 68/100 and is ranked #324 in Minnesota and #7,958 in the USA. Based on the scores for each individual category, Brainerd has received high marks for cost of living (B+), education (B) and housing (B+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Brainerd. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (F).
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Brainerd apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Brainerd meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Brainerd. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Brainerd are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Brainerd come in at $127,700, which is 33.3% lower than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Brainerd, the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 16.7% higher than the Minnesota average.
| Statistic | Brainerd | Minnesota | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.1% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.9% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.5% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.8% | 5.3% | 4.6% |
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